In January 2007, the Environmental Committee of Altrusa of Montrose sponsored an electronics recycling event that exceeded all expectations for participation by our community. In 2008, with Altrusa volunteers assisting the City of Montrose with a repeat e-Waste event, the results were even greater.
More than 300 vehicles waited in lines to drop off unneeded computers, monitors, TVs, calculators, cell phones, printers, and other electronics. With the City subsidizing some of the expenses, Montrose participants paid only about half the usual cost of this specialized type of recycling. Collected items are processed by Lifespan Technology Recycling of Grand Junction, which breaks down the equipment into its various materials, such as metals, glass, plastics, etc., and recycles or safely disposes of it all.
Early estimates indicate that close to 20 tons of equipment was collected during Saturday's event.
Pennies for Peace "Kickoff" event a success
Frigid temperatures didn't stop 53 people from attending the Friday night presentation on "Pennies for Peace" and Greg Mortenson's best-selling book, "Three Cups of Tea."
Christiane Leitinger presented a slide show describing how Mortenson's misadventures following his attempted climb of K2, the 2nd tallest mountain in the world, led to his promise to help build a school in a remote village in the Karakoram mountains of Pakistan. After selling everything he owned -- literally! -- to raise money to return to fulfill his promise, Mortenson attempted to raise funds by writing to every famous person he could think of, and by applying for grants. Hundreds of letter later, he had received only one response -- Tom Brokaw sent him a check for $100 and wished him luck.
But then a group of schoolchildren heard about what he was doing and began collecting pennies -- 62,342 pennies. Adults finally started taking notice of what Mortenson was trying to do, and more funds were raised.
That initial school was finally built, and another 63 have been built in rugged areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan by Mortenson's non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute (CAI).
Christiane Leitinger presented a slide show describing how Mortenson's misadventures following his attempted climb of K2, the 2nd tallest mountain in the world, led to his promise to help build a school in a remote village in the Karakoram mountains of Pakistan. After selling everything he owned -- literally! -- to raise money to return to fulfill his promise, Mortenson attempted to raise funds by writing to every famous person he could think of, and by applying for grants. Hundreds of letter later, he had received only one response -- Tom Brokaw sent him a check for $100 and wished him luck.
But then a group of schoolchildren heard about what he was doing and began collecting pennies -- 62,342 pennies. Adults finally started taking notice of what Mortenson was trying to do, and more funds were raised.
That initial school was finally built, and another 63 have been built in rugged areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan by Mortenson's non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute (CAI).
Meanwhile, here in Montrose, people attending our kickoff event sponsored by Altrusa donated in excess of $660 to CAI. A small organization of students and teachers at Montrose High School are organizing to send high school students to teacher meetings and to classrooms at the high school as well as middle and elementary schools to talk about Pennies for Peace.
In the week following the kickoff presentation, we have been contacted by a church group and a club supporting a major political party, as well as a number of individuals interested in knowing how they can become involved in Pennies for Peace.
It is our hope that more and more adults and children in our region will hear about Pennies for Peace, and will want to find a way to learn more about helping people in the troubled regions of Central Asia to obtain an education and to build hope...one school at a time and one penny at a time.
In the week following the kickoff presentation, we have been contacted by a church group and a club supporting a major political party, as well as a number of individuals interested in knowing how they can become involved in Pennies for Peace.
It is our hope that more and more adults and children in our region will hear about Pennies for Peace, and will want to find a way to learn more about helping people in the troubled regions of Central Asia to obtain an education and to build hope...one school at a time and one penny at a time.
January 2008 Newsletter
The current issue of our local newsletter, ALTRUSUN, is available online:
January 2008, Volume 31, Issue 7 (366 Kb PDF)
January 2008, Volume 31, Issue 7 (366 Kb PDF)
Distinguished Club Award 2006/2007
At our January 15, 2008 meeting, current Altrusa of Montrose president Susan Woody congratulated our club for once again earning recognition from Altrusa International as a Distiguished Club for 2006/2007, and showed the distinctive yellow patch received from Altrusa International. Rose Price was president of our club during the period honored.To qualify for this award, information from the Club Activity Reports on Service, Membership, Programming, Leadership, Communication and the International Foundation is used to judge whether a club is a Distinguished Club -- a leader in every respect. The Distinguished Club Award recognizes a Club's activity and productivity at every level of program involvement.
Altrusa International of Montrose has received this award every year since the award's inception -- 14 consecutive years -- and our Montrose club is the only club to have achieved this status.
"Christmas Basket" and "Literacy" Committees report to the club
Ruth Heath spoke to our Altrusa club on behalf of the Christmas Basket Committee. This year, she and Sally Senger got the names of two families in our area where grandparents are raising their grandchildren, and are in need of assistance.
In past years, the committee created actual baskets of items to give to families in need. However, this year they decided to talk to the recipients in advance, and delivered gift certificates to both families based on what their actual needs were. Ruth reported that both families were very grateful for the assistance.
Kay Hotsenpiller and Sheryl Starbuck reported on the many activities of the Literacy Committee this past year. Each month, a teacher is honored from a different school in our community, based on the recommendation from that school's principal. While Altrusa of Montrose had presented "apple" trophies to the winners in the past, more recently the committee decided to give each teacher $25 in MAMA Bucks instead, since it is quite common for teachers to spend their own money for items they use in their work.
They reported that 103 "Buddy Bags" were filled with coloring books, pencils, reading books, and other items for children, and that organizations such as Tri-County Resource Center, Adult Education Center, Montrose Medical Mission, and Montrose Community Dental Clinic received these big, blue tote bags decorated with the Altrusa logo.
"Seasons Readings" is another project of the Literacy Committee, in conjunction with the Daily Press. Collection boxes for new and gently-used children's books were placed around town, and collected books were tied with ribbons. Health & Human Resources then donate the bundles of books to needy children for Christmas. This year, 720 books were given away.
On "Make a Difference Day", the Literacy Committee presented books to the Adult Education Center for Adults who are learning to read.
As always, we at Altrusa of Montrose are proud of the good work done by our numerous committees!
In past years, the committee created actual baskets of items to give to families in need. However, this year they decided to talk to the recipients in advance, and delivered gift certificates to both families based on what their actual needs were. Ruth reported that both families were very grateful for the assistance.
Kay Hotsenpiller and Sheryl Starbuck reported on the many activities of the Literacy Committee this past year. Each month, a teacher is honored from a different school in our community, based on the recommendation from that school's principal. While Altrusa of Montrose had presented "apple" trophies to the winners in the past, more recently the committee decided to give each teacher $25 in MAMA Bucks instead, since it is quite common for teachers to spend their own money for items they use in their work.
They reported that 103 "Buddy Bags" were filled with coloring books, pencils, reading books, and other items for children, and that organizations such as Tri-County Resource Center, Adult Education Center, Montrose Medical Mission, and Montrose Community Dental Clinic received these big, blue tote bags decorated with the Altrusa logo."Seasons Readings" is another project of the Literacy Committee, in conjunction with the Daily Press. Collection boxes for new and gently-used children's books were placed around town, and collected books were tied with ribbons. Health & Human Resources then donate the bundles of books to needy children for Christmas. This year, 720 books were given away.
On "Make a Difference Day", the Literacy Committee presented books to the Adult Education Center for Adults who are learning to read.
As always, we at Altrusa of Montrose are proud of the good work done by our numerous committees!
"Tender Touch Turbans" and "Lifeline" Committees offer Show-and-Tell
Two of our long-term Service committees gave presentations at today's meeting to help all Montrose Altrusans understand more about their projects and the people served in our community.
Joyce Loss began sewing turbans for cancer patients (to keep their heads warm after losing hair) on her own, but soon found the demand was beyond what just one person could handle. The "Tender Touches" committee was created to continue making turbans and warm caps (often requested by male patients).
Joyce (assisted by her daughter, Linda) showed off a number of the stylish creations made by committee members. She estimates that Altrusa provides between 30 and 50 turbans each year to people in the Montrose area.
Alice Vest talked about the Lifeline units that Altrusa has purchased and installed in over 100 homes locally. There is a base unit which plugs into a phone jack, and a portable unit that is usually worn around the neck. These devices give people peace of mind, knowing that if they fall or have an emergency, they can call for help with a simple push of a button.
Lifeline committee members install and test each unit at a person's home. This year, Altrusa is replacing 18 obsolete units (which cost up to $750 apiece) with the help of grants from the City of Montrose and Altrusa International, as well as from funds within the local Altrusa budget.
Altrusa members applauded the work of these service committees, and appreciated the "show and tell" format of today's meeting.
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